The Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra has begun a five-week program of activities and events in the lead up to 11 November – Remembrance Day and the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
During this time the AWM will combine public activities, displays, installations and events.
The Memorial’s program includes the installation of 62,000 hand-crafted poppies around its grounds, Roll of Honour name projections, and late-night openings every Friday and Saturday.
In addition there will be two artistic productions, Epitaph by the Street Theatre, and Diggers Requiem by Chris Latham. On the night of 10 November a beam of light will extend from the Memorial to Parliament House.
Director of the AWM, Brendan Nelson said people from across the nation were invited to come to Canberra and help remember and honour the spirit of those who served the nation and those who continued to do so.
“That ‘spirit’ includes families who suffered much and made extraordinary sacrifices,” Dr Nelson said.
“The individual sacrifice of these men and women and those who loved them, their devotion and duty to our country, is what gave us what we have and made us who we are,” he said.
“The 62,000 hand-crafted poppies that now sweep across the grounds of this sacred place are woven repositories of love and ennobled memory. Every single one of those men and women, who gave their lives for us, and their last moments to one another, is lovingly represented here.”
He said the Memorial reminded us of the truths by which we live.
“Not the building, artefacts, or relics displayed, but the stories of the men and women who stand behind them,” Dr Nelson said.
He said Visitors were encouraged to post photos of their visit to the Memorial with the hashtag #HonourTheirSpirit.
